National Peace Committee (NPC) on Thursday raised concern over the shifting loyalties from states and constitutionally recognized security outfits saying that local communities are now depending on informal security networks and vigilantes to protect them.

Former Head of State, General Abdullsalami Abubakar, who is also the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, raised the alarm in Abuja, at a two-day multi-stakeholders meeting on the peace and inclusive security initiative organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in partnership with the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Represented at the event by the Team Lead of the National Peace Committee, Father Attah Barkindo, Abdullsalam, stated that such development needs to be considered especially as the country moves towards the general elections in 2023.

“Last week, I was sent by the General to do some assignments in Maiduguri, and I travelled from Yola to Mubi by road, Mubi to Madagali, Madagali to Uba, to Lasa, and what I saw His Excellencies, continuously, I saw local communities depending on informal security networks and vigilantes to protect them. And I think as we move towards the general elections in 2023, these are key areas that we really have to consider.

“Loyalties of local communities and local people, these loyalties are shifting away from states and constitutionally recognized security outfits. These local Independent vigilante groups that they can deploy using their own local authorities, I think that is really a thing of concern.

“So it is something that I think going forward I have reported back to Abdullsalam. I remember last year in 2021, when all the kidnappings in schools were taking place we had a high-level security meeting, and the recommendations were distributed to the governors,” he said.

He assured of the committee’s willingness and openness to deepening collaboration with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to see how stakeholder interventions can be provided at the highest level of governance.

Earlier, Kayode Fayemi, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, reiterated that the annual meeting is organized in partnership with the Center for Democracy development to spark conversations towards finding innovative solutions to the security challenges in the country

According to him, the NGF is making efforts to create platforms to share ideas on how every stakeholder can contribute to the work of restoring peace and security to the nation, following the launch of the Nigerian Governors Forum peace and inclusive security initiative, in July 2021.

The NGF boss, who is also the governor of Ekiti State, noted that the level of insecurity across the country not only jeopardizes citizens’ safety and means of livelihoods, but also impedes the exercise of the rights of Nigerians, particularly the right to life, movement, and ultimately, the country’s socio-economic development.

“Following the Launch of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative (PISI) in July 2021, the NGF is making efforts to create fora to share ideas on how every stakeholder can contribute to the work of restoring peace and security to the nation. As we already know, the level of insecurity across the country not only jeopardises citizens’ safety and means of livelihood, but also impedes the exercise of the rights of Nigerians, particularly the right to life and the right to movement, and ultimately the country’s socio-economic development

“How well we respond to the security challenges will be determined by the level of collaboration between state and non-state actors. It is in recognition of this that we have invited the security agencies, civil rights organisations, faith based, and traditional institutions here represented in this summit.

“This summit is a platform to express your views and make policy recommendations that will transform this effort from a mere gathering of like minds to a movement that will produce competent and informed stakeholders who will then use this knowledge to adequately address the security challenges faced in the different geopolitical zones of this country” the chairman stated.

The British High Commissioner, Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing, stated that the UK is a very proud supporter of the dialogue for peace and stability in Nigeria.

Represented by Mr Jonathan Bacon, the British High Commissioner described Nigeria as very diverse country with different challenges in different parts, adding that the UN and Nigeria have enjoyed long term relationship based on mutual respect.

“We and the Nigerian government, federal states, Nigerian Civil Society, have very strong partnerships that are based upon mutual respect and shared objectives,” she said.

Laing expressed hope that the outcomes of the discussions at the summit will help address the challenges facing the country (Daily Independent)